NAEA Position Statement on Positive School Culture and Climate

NAEA believes there is a symbiotic relationship between a supported high-quality visual arts education program and a positive school culture and climate. The fundamental context for a school-based visual arts education program requires effective educators who are certified/licensed in visual art and appropriate, equitable, program-specific resources including facilities, budgets, time, instructional materials, and online access. Honoring students’ scheduled access to visual arts instruction is essential to a dynamic learning culture and a positive school climate. Visual art educators play important leadership roles in building positive school culture and climate.

Visual arts education impacts school culture and climate by:

• increasing student attendance and student engagement
• promoting personal expression and social-emotional learning thereby enhancing an understanding of cultural diversity, and nurturing mutual respect
• promoting innovation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills applicable to life-long learning
• advocating for and supporting school and community relationships
• facilitating interdisciplinary learning through an inclusive, supportive environment where students develop abilities to problem solve, take risks, develop a personal creative voice, collaborate, and reflect
• building a sense of community within the school.

A positive school culture and climate supports visual arts education by:

• fostering a creative atmosphere within the school
• supporting creativity and innovation in teaching and learning
• showcasing student achievement in the visual arts
• encouraging diverse connections among people, subject areas, and ideas
• respecting visual art educators as both teachers and artists
• providing access to discipline-specific professional learning opportunities
• valuing visual art educators as leaders in their discipline, schools and communities

Resources:

NAEA Position Statements:

• 21st Century Skills and Visual Arts Education
• Certified/Licensed Visual Art Educators in Pre-K through 12 School Settings
• Professional Development
• Scheduling, Time, Funding and/or Resources for Visual Arts Education
• Visual Arts as a Core Academic Subject

NAEA Publication:

• Purposes, Principles and Standards for School Art Programs (2014)